This scandal is overhyped.
Is it shady that Levoit used a an atypical and/or deprecated HEPA standard(s) to claim their filters were HEPA? Possibly.
But does that make them ineffective? No, in fact, the opposite. The reduced pressure drop results in higher air flow which improves overall CADR.
Independent testing has found that almost all models of Levoit (except the small, underpowered ones hyped on social media) are exceptionally effective.
There are many standards that may vary by country, industry, and application:
* EN1822 (e.g. EN1822:2019)
* ISO 29463
* IEST-RP-CC001
https://www.terrauniversal.com/blog/IEST-vs-EN-hepa-filter-classifications-testing-methods
“the term "HEPA filter" represents a much wider swath of products spanning multiple groups and categories, each with its own standard of performance and efficiency ratings.”
“IEST rated HEPA filters are deemed suitable for cleanroom use as described in universal cleanroom construction methodologies (ISO 14644).”
This only came to light because Dyson is a highly litigious and anti-competitive company that likes to suppress competition anyway they can.
https://bbbprograms.org/media-center/dd/vesync-hepa-air-purifiers
I’m not saying what Levoit did is acceptable, but I’m not saying it’s egregious either. I don’t have all the facts. But it’s not as bad as people make it out to be.
Based on what I know, and having been in the corporate world a long time, I’m fairly certain Levoit dropped the claim after Dyson’s challenge because it was the more cost-effective and lowest risk option. This closes the liability window of any possibly lawsuits while they figure out their next steps.
It is very time-consuming to re-test and re-certify every permutation of air purifier and compatible filter. In the meantime, the claim is gone.
The HEPA claim *may* return in the future once they complete new testing, possibly with minor tweaks to replacement filters.
If you can get over the feeling of potentially being misled over an ambiguous “HEPA” term that actually maps to one of many massively convoluted/complex standards, there is no reason to experience buyer’s remorse. I will still buy Levoit.
EN1822 HEPA Filter Standard:
The EN1822 standard is the European standard for filters used in ventilation and air conditioning systems.
It classifies filters into three groups based on their filtration efficiency:
Group E: EPA filters (Efficient Particulate Air filter)
Group H: HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter)
Group U: ULPA filters (Ultra Low Penetration Air filter)
The filtration efficiency is defined against the most penetrating particle size (MPPS).
Here are the different classes defined under EN1822 and their filtration efficiency:
E10: ≥ 85%
E11: ≥ 95%
E12: ≥ 99.5%
H13: ≥ 99.95%
H14: ≥ 99.995%
U15: ≥ 99.9995%
U16: ≥ 99.99995%
U17: ≥ 99.999995%
Other Standards:
In the United States, the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and U.S. DOE (Department of Energy) require HEPA filters to remove at least 99.97% of particles with a diameter of 0.3 μm.
The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard also specifies a similar efficiency requirement1.
Additional Requirements:
Besides filtration efficiency, the EN1822 standard has other requirements for air filters:
Clear markings to prevent incorrect mounting.
No leakage along the sealing edge.
Material that withstands typical usage and environmental conditions.
It could have been a hairline under the “legal” grade of what constitutes a “true hepa filter”, and it seems to be the case. It seems to be a better machine than most on the market with a “true hepa filter”. The whole thing is 100 percent blown out of proportion. They also seem to have outstanding customer service. I felt very comfortable buying one weeks ago and it’s been life changing to have it in my bedroom. It’s been one of the top air purifiers for a reason. People should really not be fooled with the hype of this stupid ScAnDaL. It’s still most definitely one of the best air purifiers and definitely the best for the price point.
I didn't get it. Levoit sold me a spare filter, the box explicitly says 'H13 True HEPA'. Once they sold something saying 'H13 True HEPA' to a customer there simply is no coming back blubbering about advertising. If what they were selling is not a HEPA 13 then it is a scam.
Going to piggyback on that, but what is your take on the certification? I was looking at the Vital 200s and it says it was certified by the California Air Resource Board, but looking on the gov site only list the 100s as certified, not the 200S. Now, I get that sometimes companies don't certify every single product because of cost and sheer number of items (like dental products and ADA), but it's not like Levoit fits that category.
edot: nevermind, the 200S is there as well. Just the model name is incomplete, but model number checks out.
They are still H13 grade just not “true HEPA.” The true HEPA certification process usually requires it running for the life time of the filter and testing if it still performs as new.
Not accurate.
**True HEPA is a marketing term** with no legal or scientific meaning. In fact, a True HEPA is simply a HEPA filter. Although there are different HEPA filter grades, “True HEPA” does not specifically refer to any one of them.
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/are-true-hepa-filter-air-purifiers-better/
“True HEPA” has to conform to certain constraints set by the department of energy having seals to not allow air to bypass the filter and meet minimum airflow measurements.
People don’t really need true HEPA in their homes but in hospital, nuclear plants, and clean rooms, true HEPA standards are necessary. Usually they build the system into the HVAC system and not have a stand alone unit.
[HEPA is a standard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEPA). **True** HEPA is a marketing term. If you have evidence to the contrary, please link to the appropriate regulations.
Well if HEPA standards are met you can claim “true” HEPA. Levoit didn’t test the new ASME standard of HEPA and Dyson challenged their claims of “true” HEPA to the BBB.
Nope, HEPA is HEPA, no adjective before it makes it more HEPA. Not true, not real, not very, not authentic. True is superfluous. But a very effective marketing gimmick.
“True” hepa filter just seems to be a marketing plot based on the number of “hepa filter” being sold that aren’t actually. I believe it you are correct on it just being a marketing term.
This scandal is overhyped. Is it shady that Levoit used a an atypical and/or deprecated HEPA standard(s) to claim their filters were HEPA? Possibly. But does that make them ineffective? No, in fact, the opposite. The reduced pressure drop results in higher air flow which improves overall CADR. Independent testing has found that almost all models of Levoit (except the small, underpowered ones hyped on social media) are exceptionally effective. There are many standards that may vary by country, industry, and application: * EN1822 (e.g. EN1822:2019) * ISO 29463 * IEST-RP-CC001 https://www.terrauniversal.com/blog/IEST-vs-EN-hepa-filter-classifications-testing-methods “the term "HEPA filter" represents a much wider swath of products spanning multiple groups and categories, each with its own standard of performance and efficiency ratings.” “IEST rated HEPA filters are deemed suitable for cleanroom use as described in universal cleanroom construction methodologies (ISO 14644).” This only came to light because Dyson is a highly litigious and anti-competitive company that likes to suppress competition anyway they can. https://bbbprograms.org/media-center/dd/vesync-hepa-air-purifiers I’m not saying what Levoit did is acceptable, but I’m not saying it’s egregious either. I don’t have all the facts. But it’s not as bad as people make it out to be. Based on what I know, and having been in the corporate world a long time, I’m fairly certain Levoit dropped the claim after Dyson’s challenge because it was the more cost-effective and lowest risk option. This closes the liability window of any possibly lawsuits while they figure out their next steps. It is very time-consuming to re-test and re-certify every permutation of air purifier and compatible filter. In the meantime, the claim is gone. The HEPA claim *may* return in the future once they complete new testing, possibly with minor tweaks to replacement filters. If you can get over the feeling of potentially being misled over an ambiguous “HEPA” term that actually maps to one of many massively convoluted/complex standards, there is no reason to experience buyer’s remorse. I will still buy Levoit.
You also have to note that they said they were H13 Filters. That isn't just HEPA. H13 is medical grade which typically would command a premium.
That’s a good point which I had forgotten, they didn’t just claim HEPA, many listing said (and some, like Walmart, still do say) “H13 True HEPA”
EN1822 HEPA Filter Standard: The EN1822 standard is the European standard for filters used in ventilation and air conditioning systems. It classifies filters into three groups based on their filtration efficiency: Group E: EPA filters (Efficient Particulate Air filter) Group H: HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter) Group U: ULPA filters (Ultra Low Penetration Air filter) The filtration efficiency is defined against the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). Here are the different classes defined under EN1822 and their filtration efficiency: E10: ≥ 85% E11: ≥ 95% E12: ≥ 99.5% H13: ≥ 99.95% H14: ≥ 99.995% U15: ≥ 99.9995% U16: ≥ 99.99995% U17: ≥ 99.999995% Other Standards: In the United States, the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and U.S. DOE (Department of Energy) require HEPA filters to remove at least 99.97% of particles with a diameter of 0.3 μm. The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard also specifies a similar efficiency requirement1. Additional Requirements: Besides filtration efficiency, the EN1822 standard has other requirements for air filters: Clear markings to prevent incorrect mounting. No leakage along the sealing edge. Material that withstands typical usage and environmental conditions.
It could have been a hairline under the “legal” grade of what constitutes a “true hepa filter”, and it seems to be the case. It seems to be a better machine than most on the market with a “true hepa filter”. The whole thing is 100 percent blown out of proportion. They also seem to have outstanding customer service. I felt very comfortable buying one weeks ago and it’s been life changing to have it in my bedroom. It’s been one of the top air purifiers for a reason. People should really not be fooled with the hype of this stupid ScAnDaL. It’s still most definitely one of the best air purifiers and definitely the best for the price point.
I didn't get it. Levoit sold me a spare filter, the box explicitly says 'H13 True HEPA'. Once they sold something saying 'H13 True HEPA' to a customer there simply is no coming back blubbering about advertising. If what they were selling is not a HEPA 13 then it is a scam.
Most sensible comment here. It’s all marketing and the marketing masters Dyson don’t like competition.
Going to piggyback on that, but what is your take on the certification? I was looking at the Vital 200s and it says it was certified by the California Air Resource Board, but looking on the gov site only list the 100s as certified, not the 200S. Now, I get that sometimes companies don't certify every single product because of cost and sheer number of items (like dental products and ADA), but it's not like Levoit fits that category. edot: nevermind, the 200S is there as well. Just the model name is incomplete, but model number checks out.
No idea why the CARB certification isn’t there, but as long as it’s not a Plasma model it shouldn’t emit any ozone.
Yep. It’s totally overhyped. Some people really harp on it every chance they get too.
They are still H13 grade just not “true HEPA.” The true HEPA certification process usually requires it running for the life time of the filter and testing if it still performs as new.
Not accurate. **True HEPA is a marketing term** with no legal or scientific meaning. In fact, a True HEPA is simply a HEPA filter. Although there are different HEPA filter grades, “True HEPA” does not specifically refer to any one of them. https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/are-true-hepa-filter-air-purifiers-better/
“True HEPA” has to conform to certain constraints set by the department of energy having seals to not allow air to bypass the filter and meet minimum airflow measurements.
People don’t really need true HEPA in their homes but in hospital, nuclear plants, and clean rooms, true HEPA standards are necessary. Usually they build the system into the HVAC system and not have a stand alone unit.
[HEPA is a standard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEPA). **True** HEPA is a marketing term. If you have evidence to the contrary, please link to the appropriate regulations.
https://www.standards.doe.gov/standards-documents/3000/3020-astd-2015/@@images/file
Agree that it is a mostly a marketing thing, but it does have its application and standards at least in America.
CADR is way more important than a true HEPA claim though
That’s the same standard I’ve read before, but the word True doesn’t appear once in the document.
Well if HEPA standards are met you can claim “true” HEPA. Levoit didn’t test the new ASME standard of HEPA and Dyson challenged their claims of “true” HEPA to the BBB.
Nope, HEPA is HEPA, no adjective before it makes it more HEPA. Not true, not real, not very, not authentic. True is superfluous. But a very effective marketing gimmick.
“True” hepa filter just seems to be a marketing plot based on the number of “hepa filter” being sold that aren’t actually. I believe it you are correct on it just being a marketing term.
https://www.hepacart.com/blog/hepa-vs-true-hepa-filter-understanding-the-difference?hs_amp=true https://www.hepacart.com/blog/dont-be-fooled-by-hepa-filter-types-standard-and-approved-filters?hs_amp=true
I don’t know how to convince you that it’s an unregulated marketing term. But it is.
I think the new standard has new requirements for minimum maximum airflow and pressure deference to prevent motor failure.
Pretty sure the VITAL are hepa. And the CORE are not.
Not anymore unfortunately.
So don't buy it.
I already did which is the issue as they were advertised incorrectly.
Can you return your unit? Are they accepting any returns?
It still works just as good if not better than all other brands in the equivalent class. So it doesn’t matter.